Microscopic Polyangiitis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the most widespread viral infections in human history. As a breakthrough against infection, vaccines have been developed to achieve herd immunity. Here, we report the first case of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) following BNT162b2 vaccination in Korea. A 42-year-old man presented to the emergency room with general weakness, dyspnea, and edema after the second BNT162b2 vaccination. He had no medical history other than being treated for tuberculosis last year. Although his renal function was normal at last year, acute kidney injury was confirmed at the time of admission to the emergency room. His serum creatinine was 3.05 mg/dL. Routine urinalysis revealed proteinuria (3+) and hematuria. When additional tests were performed for suspected glomerulonephritis, the elevation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody (38.6 IU/mL) was confirmed. Renal biopsy confirmed pauci-immune anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-related glomerulonephritis and MPA was diagnosed finally. As an induction therapy, a combination of glucocorticoid and rituximab was administered, and plasmapheresis was performed twice. He was discharged after the induction therapy and admitted to the outpatient clinic 34 days after induction therapy. During outpatient examination, his renal function had improved with serum creatinine 1.51 mg/dL. We suggest that MPA needs to be considered if patients have acute kidney injury, proteinuria, and hematuria after vaccination.

Late Onset Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis in a Patient with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease: a Case Report

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a progressive systemic fibrosing disease that may occur after gadolinium contrast exposure. It can lead to severe complications and even death.NSF is highly prevalent among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this report, however, we describe the case of a patient with NSF that occurred during early CKD. A 65-year-old man with stage 3a CKD was transferred to our hospital because of lower extremity edema. The medical history revealed that he was exposed to gadolinium 185 days earlier, and the result of his tibial skin biopsy was consistent with NSF. The patient underwent a combined therapy with ultraviolet-A1 phototherapy and methotrexate and steroid therapy for 6 months. The combined therapy stopped the systemic progression of NSF.

Expression of Peroxisome Proliferato Activated Receptor gamma in Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), a ligand-activated transcription factor has been investigated as the target for cancer treatment as well as metabolic disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that PPAR-gamma ligands are anti-tumorigenic in prostate cancer due to anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation effects. The aim of this study was to validate PPAR-gamma expression in malignant and benign prostate tissues by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 730 prostatic adenocarcinomas (PCAs) including 63 whole sections from radical prostatectomy specimens and tissue microarrays containing 667 PCAs were subject to immunostaining for two PPAR-gamma antibodies. Twenty-five benign prostate tissues and PCAs were selected for investigating mRNA expression by quantitative real-time PCR. 10.7% of PCAs (78/730) showed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of PPAR-gamma and no nuclear immunoreactivity was noted in PCAs. Most benign prostatic glands showed negative immunoreactivity of PPAR-gamma except for variable weak cytoplasmic staining in some glands. Nuclear immunoreactivity of PPAR-gamma was noted some central zone and verumontanum mucosal epithelium. The constitutive PPAR-gamma mRNA showed significantly lower level in PCAs compared to that in the benign tissues. There was no difference of PPAR-gamma mRNA expression between low (7) Gleason score groups. There was no association of PPAR-gamma mRNA level or cytoplasmic immunostaining with Gleason grade or pathologic stage. Our study supported the evidence of extra-nuclear localization and nongenomic actions of PPAR-gamma. Further studies are needed to assess the functional role of PPAR-gamma and to validate its therapeutic implication in prostate cancer.

Does hypokalemia contribute to acute kidney injury in chronic laxative abuse?

Prolonged hypokalemia from chronic laxative abuse is recognized as the cause of chronic tubulointerstitial disease, known as "hypokalemic nephropathy," but it is not clear whether it contributes to acute kidney injury (AKI). A 42-year-old woman with a history of chronic kidney disease as a result of chronic laxative abuse from a purging type of anorexia nervosa (AN-P), developed an anuric AKI requiring hemodialysis and a mild AKI 2 months later. Both episodes of AKI involved severe to moderate hypokalemia (1.2 and 2.7 mmol/L, respectively), volume depletion, and mild rhabdomyolysis. The histologic findings of the first AKI revealed the remnants of acute tubular necrosis with advanced chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis and ischemic glomerular injury. Along with these observations, the intertwined relationship among precipitants of recurrent AKI in AN-P is discussed, and then we postulate a contributory role of hypokalemia involved in the pathophysiology of the renal ischemia-induced AKI.

SIRT1 Expression Is Associated with Good Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, might act as a tumor promoter by inhibiting p53, but may also as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting several oncogenes such as beta-catenin and survivin. Deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) is known as a negative regulator of SIRT1. METHODS: Immunohistochemical expressions of SIRT1, DBC1, beta-catenin, surviving, and p53 were evaluated using 2 mm tumor cores from 349 colorectal cancer patients for tissue microarray. RESULTS: Overexpression of SIRT1, DBC1, survivin, and p53 was seen in 235 (67%), 183 (52%), 193 (55%), and 190 (54%) patients, respectively. Altered expression of beta-catenin was identified in 246 (70%) patients. On univariate analysis, overexpression of SIRT1 (p=0.029) and altered expression of beta-catenin (p=0.008) were significantly associated with longer overall survival. Expression of SIRT1 was significantly related to DBC1 (p=0.001), beta-catenin (p=0.001), and survivin (p=0.002), but not with p53. On multivariate analysis, age, tumor stage, differentiation, and expression of SIRT1 were independent prognostic factors significantly associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: SIRT1 overexpression is a good prognostic factor for colorectal cancer, and SIRT1 may interact with beta-catenin and survivin rather than p53.

Prognostic Significance of Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression in Early Gastric Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has been observed in many types of cancer including gastric adenocarcinomas, although the exact role of HSP70 in carcinogenesis remains unclear. METHODS: The study analyzed a total of 458 radical gastrectomy specimens which were immunohistochemically stained with HSP70, p53, and Ki-67 antibodies. RESULTS: The study determined that the expression of HSP70 was significantly increased in early gastric cancer (EGC) compared to advanced gastric cancer (p<0.001). The HSP70 expression was correlated with well-differentiated tumor type, intestinal type of Lauren classification and the lower pT and pN stage. Negative expression of Ki-67 and p53 expression was associated with poor prognosis. The study did not find any correlation between HSP70 and p53 expression. The study determined that HSP70 expression in the EGC subgroup was associated with a poor prognosis (p=0.009), as well as negative Ki-67 expression (p=0.006), but was not associated with p53. Based on multivariate analysis, HSP70 expression (p=0.024), negative expression of Ki-67, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis were determined to be independent prognostic markers. CONCLUSIONS: HSP70 is expressed in the early stages of gastric adenocarcinoma. In EGC, HSP70 is a poor independent prognostic marker and is correlated with a low proliferation index.

Expression of SIRT1 and DBC1 in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) are known as tumor suppressor or promoter genes. This may be due to their diverse functions and interaction with other proteins. Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies, but little is known about its carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the association of immunohistochemical expression of SIRT1, DBC1, p53, and beta-catenin and their variable clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: We obtained samples from 452 patients who underwent gastrectomy. Tissue microarray blocks were constructed and immonohistochemical staining was performed. RESULTS: Expression of DBC1 and SIRT1 was associated with lower histologic grade, intestinal type of Lauren classification, and lower pT (p<0.001) and pN stage (DBC1, p=0.002; SIRT1, p<0.001). Association between absence of lymphatic invasion, and SIRT1 (p=0.001) and DBC1 (p=0.004) was observed. Cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was associated with lower histologic grade, pT, pN, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, DBC1 (p<0.001), and SIRT1 (p=0.001). Expression of SIRT1 and DBC1 was not associated with p53 (p=0.063 and p=0.060). DBC1 was an independent good prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: SIRC1 and DBC1 can be considered to be good prognostic factors in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Pigmented Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor (PEComa) of the Kidney: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Heavily pigmented perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComa) are rare, only eight cases of which have been reported. Unlike typical epithelioid angiomyolipoma, most of these tumors have been encountered in female patients without tuberous sclerosis. The long-term prognosis thereof is undetermined. Cytological similarity and heavy melanin pigment make it difficult for pigmented PEComa to be differentiated from pigmented clear cell renal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. The immunoprofile of tumor cells, such as human melanoma black-45 expression, as well as the absence or presence of other melanocytic or epithelial markers, are helpful in determining a differential diagnosis. Here we report a case of heavily pigmented PEComa of the right kidney and review the literature describing this tumor. In this case, the immunoprofile and clinical features corresponded well to those described in the literature. Since the prognosis of such disease has not yet been established, close follow-up of this patient was recommended.

MR Imaging Findings of Parosteal Lipoma: Case Report

Parosteal lipoma is a rare benign tumor containing mature adipose tissue having an intimate relationship to the periosteum. Characteristically, this tumor presents as a lipomatous mass adjacent to bone, eliciting variable reactive changes in the underlying cortex. We report a case of parosteal lipoma of the foot. The MR findings consisted of juxtacortical lipomatous mass abutting to bony protuberance, with internal fibrous striations, and osseous reaction in the adjacent bone. By the aid of multiplanar imaging capability, high spatial and contrast resolution of MRI, characteristic features of parosteal lipoma can lead to diagnosis on imaging.

A Case of Pa-tient with Wegener's Granulomatosis Showing Glomerular Immune Deposition in Kidney Biopsy / 대한신장학회지

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in Wegener's granulomatosis patients typically has been characterized by pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (PIGN). In some patients, however, significant amount of glomerular immune deposits was detected and reported that they may have poor prognosis. A 30 year-old-female visited due to the skin rash of both lower extremities, arthralgia and nasal stiffness. She had sinusitis, lung opacity, and proteinuria. Serologic PR-3 ANCA was positive and histologic findings of nasal cavity and lung also showed necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma. Thus we could diagnose Wegener's granulomatosis. However, gross hematuria developed and renal function worsened in spite of treatment with high dose prednisolone and oral cyclophosphamide. Therefore we performed a kidney biopsy. The kidney biopsy showed crescentic glomerulonephritis with Ig A deposition in the mesangium. We experienced a case of Wegener's granulomatosis patient with significant IgA deposition in glomeruli. We report this case with brief review of the literature.

Uterine Tumor Resembling Ovarian Sex-Cord Tumor: A Case Report of the Cytologic Finding / 대한세포병리학회지

Uterine stromal tumors with features of ovarian sex-cord differentiation are relatively rare. The neoplasms composed of sex cord-like components in more than 50% of the tumor are classified as group II. We report the cytologic findings of a case of uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor. The cervical smears of a 62-year-old woman with submucosal tumor showed loose aggregates of spindle cells as well as glandular or tubular structures of round cells with a distinct cell membrane and a prominent small nucleolus. Because uterine stromal tumor can have sex cord differentiation, its possibility should be considered in the interpretation of cervical smears.